A handheld magnifying glass to inspect solder joints and read the labels on small components.

A magnifying glass mounted on a base so that you can hold your work behind the glass. Get one with a light, so the object you're magnifying is bright.

Magnifying goggles, which provide completely hands-free magnifying. Ideally, the goggles should have lights mounted on them.

A third handis a small stand with a couple of clips used to hold work. Most third-hand tools also include a magnifying glass.

The third hand is helpful for small projects, but lacks the sturdiness for larger projects. Eventually you'll want a small hobby vise.

Here are a few things to look for in a hobby vise:

Mount: There are three common types of mounts:

Bolt mount: Bolts or screws attach the vise to your workbench. This is the most stable type of mount, but it requires that you put holes in your workbench.

Clamp mount:A clamp fixes the base to your workbench. Clamp mounts are pretty stable but can be placed only near the edge of your workbench.

Vacuum mount:The base has a rubber seal and lever to create a vacuum between the seal and the workbench top. Vacuum mounts are the most portable but work well only when the top of your workbench is smooth.

Movement: Get a vise that has plenty of movement so that you can swivel your work. Make sure that when you lock the swivel mount into position, it stays put.

Protection: The vise jaws should have a rubber coating to protect your work.

You'll need a soldering iron with a stand and solder. An inexpensive soldering iron will get you started, but make sure you get one with a stand.

You'll need a multimeter to measure voltage, current and resistance.

A solderless breadboard is a must for experimenting with circuit layouts. A breadboard has holes in which you can insert either wires or electronic components to create an electronic circuit without soldering. When you're finished with the circuit, all the pieces can be reused. You’ll want a breadboard that is at least 7x4.